Left: the ground level flows out onto terraces where the exposed rock has been turned into a feature.

First, it added an appreciation for exposed rock, gorges and earth colors to the traditional focus on the bucolic, the alpine and the green.

The primary role of the geologists was to survey the terrain by mapping and plane tabling exposed rock formations.

Erosion occurring within the cracks wears away exposed rock layers and enlarges the surface cracks isolating narrow sandstone walls which are called fins.

The increased evaporation from the larger water area of the oceans may have increased rainfall, which, in turn, increased the weathering of exposed rock.